Lent is a time for prayer, fasting and almsgiving. In the gospel reading Jesus tells us to do these things with humility and dignity: 'go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret'. Ash Wednesday is the start of our long and contemplative journey to Easter.

The tradition of marking the forehead with ash on Ash Wednesday can be traced back to the ancient Jewish action of dusting oneself with ash as a sign of repentance and mourning for wrongful actions. It was a public declaration of the acknowledgement of the wrong and the commitment to turn one’s life around and try not to make the same mistake again. It still remains a public declaration that during the period of Lent those who wear the cross of ash are going to attempt to turn around their lives and re-focus themselves more fully on God. © Creative Ministry Resources Pty Ltd

For Ash Wednesday this year and for the protection of all involved, Archbishop Paul has advised that there will be no distribution of ashes in schools and colleges.

This is an extraordinary circumstance for this year only. The opportunity for prayer and reflection on this day to mark the beginning of Lent will be held in each Hub.

Below is a link to a song for celebrating Ash Wednesday which you could listen to as a family.

Ashes by Drew Lane ( from the album "Love Faith Hope". )